Santa Margarita County Preserve spans 226 acres in Fallbrook and gives you a real sense of what the Santa Margarita Valley looked like before development took over. The County of San Diego acquired it back in 1992 specifically to protect the landscape and open it up to the public, which they’ve done with 2.5 miles of multi-use trails that work for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

The trails connect north to the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s trail system, so if you want to extend your walk, you can string together a longer route. To the west, Camp Pendleton acts as a natural buffer, keeping the preserve feeling remote even though you’re close to town. The scenery really does feel different from the typical San Diego chaparral—there’s something about this particular valley that makes it worth the trip.

Your dog needs to stay leashed throughout, and you’ll want to pack out what you pack in. The preserve opens at 8 a.m. every day and stays open until half an hour before sunset, which gives you plenty of flexibility depending on the season. One thing to keep in mind: after heavy rain, they close the gates for public safety and to protect the trails and resources. The river runs through the property, but fishing isn’t allowed right now.

The tradeoffs are minimal—it’s a straightforward county park with no fancy amenities, which is actually part of the appeal. You get real trails through genuine habitat without the crowds you’d find at some of the more promoted spots around San Diego. If you’re based in Fallbrook or passing through on your way to somewhere else, this is worth a stop, especially if your dog needs real trail time rather than just a loop around a developed park.